Nikon Coolpix S640 12.2MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-inch LCD (Velour Red) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been looking for a compact all around point and shoot camera for awhile now. I have used multiple cameras in the last few months, and I think I have found my favorite. I'm not an expert in terms of color reproduction, or other details aspects of the final photo, but I don't see much to complain about in terms of photo quality.
PROS:
Ultra fast focus. This baby can focus and lock on in < 1 sec. This ensure that you'll be able to capture those timeless moments in a blink of an eye.
Fast startup. The startup of 0.7s is true, BUT only if you are in Auto Mode and Single Shot mode with AF/Center Focus. If you are in another mode or continuous/BSS, face detect, the camera takes almost 5 seconds before you can take your first show. Although I'm a little bit disapointed that the startup of the camera is limited to a very specific mode, I use Auto/Single/AF 99% of the time so I'm not too concerned.
Easy, intuitive controls. I didn't have to read the manual, and I can get around easily.'
High ISO modes, up to 6400. Although I would not recommend anything greater than 800 (or even 400 if you can help it), just have a capability just in case is nice.
Fast 5x wide angle lens. This lens has a pretty standard wide angle lens, 28mm, but the nice thing is that is also a fast lens - maximum aperture of 2.7. Helps a bit in low light. 5x is more than what basic P&S have (usually 3x).
Extremely compact and solid. Its pretty small, but still has a good feel in your hand. Easily slips into your pocket. CONS
Picture quality is just SO-SO. There hasn't been many compact 12mp P&S that excel in picture quality. While its not terrible, its not something to be excited about. Its comparable to any of the SD800-SD960, SD1200 cameras.
ISO800 is barely usable, and anything above that I don't recommend. Of course, I've been spoiled by DSLRs, but I was hoping for better.
Battery drains pretty quickly. I don't get the 200+ shots that Nikon says I can get. I get maybe 100? Of course, I use flash sometimes, I replay the photo's quite a bit, turn it on/off a lot. Maybe that 270 shots per battery is 270 continuous shots? I don't know. Get a second one in my opinion.
This camera takes a while to write to the SD flash card. On my previous Canon SD800 and Panasonic ZR1, I was able to take a picture, and flip it to the playback mode instantly. Now, it takes about 1.5 seconds to write to the card, before I can enable the playback mode. Slightly annoying.So, who is this camera for? Its for the amateur photographer who needs a fast, compact, basic Point and Shoot that will get the job done. I would recommend this over the Canon SD1200, SD800-SD960. But, because of the wide angle and fast shooting capability, you will be able to take quick shots which usually lead to more keeper photo's.

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The Coolpix S640 ultra-fast autofocus helps you capture once-in-alifetime expressions with just the right timing. Tie these features together with the fastest start-up time* of only 0.7 seconds, and you have a powerful photographic tool that lets you beautifully preserve lifes fleeting moments. Coolpix S640 Digital Camera Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 Charging AC Adapter EH-68P USB Cable UC-E6 Audio Video Cable EG-CP14 Strap AN-CP19 Software Suite CD-ROM

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Nikon Coolpix S620 12.2MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Rich Pearl) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Many years ago I did quite a bit of photography; and so I know what it takes to get a great photo. Unfortunately the digital cameras, particularly the small ones, have been hampered by slow ability to capture light, and thus get clear pictures in Low light without a flash, or get great shots at High Speeds. Also the digital camera's ability to distinguish between a strong backlight, faces, a variety of scenes, like bright sun, shade, cloudy days, indoor light, has been poor, but gradually getting better across the last 4 years. This Nikon S620, solves all of those problems. All of these situations are corrected in this camera automatically if you want to just point and shoot. It is a master of computer engineering. For several years now with most of the strong brands, you could get good pictures in all the above situations, by correcting for red eye, selecting special scenes, and using tripods in low light. What I wanted to see if, with this Nikon, IF you set it to complete auto, you could get great pictures. Has the computer advanced far enough, where it could anticipate all these situations and give you a great picture? Answer is a resounding yes. I have tested this for a month, and I love it so much; I have now bought one for one of my daughters. This model as some professional reviews have said is a bit more practical for everyday situations, because of the wide angle. What it lacks in the Zoom, though the S630 is tempting; it makes up in speed, to handle all the above situations well. The controls are easy to operate. The high Megapixel count let you crop photos closer and still have a great picture; like the one I uploaded with the bird nesting. The anti-shake /vibration works well; to give you almost always clear shots, in these difficult situations.
UPDATE MAY 7th. : I looked at the S630 Product page and noticed 6 reviews, all but one positive. The one negative review, talks about noise in pictures and poor performance in low light. The speed rating of the 620 is much higher than the 630, at native resolution; thus resulting in sharper pictures in the extremes of photography, low light and high speed. I belive by my own photo's the 620 is a remarkable advancement in giving excellent pictures acorss the range. I am not saying, to not buy the 630; only that the powerful zoom in such a small camera is not without compromise. Thus there may be issues with that camera when used as an all around camera. If you are looking for an excellent all around camera; the Nikon S620 is THE one to buy!


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The COOLPIX S620 combines beauty and brains. It features the worlds fastest start up in just 0.7 seconds1. A superb 4x wide-angle zoom-NIKKOR lens is matched to a 12.2 megapixel image sensor for superb image quality. High performance features such as 4 way VR image stabilization, scene auto selector, subject tracking, smile mode with blink proof make taking beautiful pictures incredibly easy. Includes: Coolpix S620 12MP 4X VR Digital Camera, Rich Pearl, Li-ion rechargeable battery EN-EL12, Battery Charger MH-65, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio/Video Cable EG-CP14, Strap AN-CP19, Software Suite for COOLPIX CD-ROM

Click here for more information about Nikon Coolpix S620 12.2MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Rich Pearl)